Structure permitting assembly-assisted connection of control lever to cable-actuated vehicle component

ABSTRACT

A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a passenger compartment, a floor pan, a cable-actuated component (such as a transmission) located outside the passenger compartment, and a telescopeable cable assembly (such as a transmission cable) operably connected to the cable-actuated component. The telescopeable cable assembly includes an end (such as a sheath on a sleeve of the cable assembly) attached to the floor pan via a bracket and a telescopeable cable having a first connector on an end of the telescopeable cable. A control assembly (such as a transmission shifter assembly) is provided for connection to the cable-actuated component. The control assembly includes a base configured for attachment to the vehicle in the passenger compartment, a lever pivoted to the base, and a second connector operably attached to the lever. The second connector is configured to mateably engage the first connector as the control assembly is installed in the vehicle from a raised pre-installation position to a lowered installed position, and to be secured to the first connector to operably connect the control assembly to the cable-actuated component via the telescopeable cable assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/851,131, filed May 5, 1997, entitled VEHICLE SHIFT CABLE CONNECTION, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,066, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/375,344, filed Jan. 19, 1995, entitled VEHICLE SHIFT CABLE CONNECTION, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns the assembly of a cable-actuated component to a vehicle, and more particularly concerns structure permitting assembly-assisted connection of a control lever to the cable-actuated vehicle component.

In known cable-type automatic transmission shifters for vehicles, a cable assembly is typically operably attached to the shifter with a two-step process that includes securing a molded-on sheath on the cable assembly to a base of the shifter, and securing a telescopeable cable on the cable assembly to a shift mechanism on the shifter. Further, the shifter is attached to the vehicle in a separate step. Fasteners permitting relatively quick attachment have been used to attach the cable assembly to the shifter to make the assembly process more efficient. However, if the loose shifter-engaging end of the cable assembly is not found in a desired preassembly location in the vehicle, the operator must then search for the cable assembly before making the connections to the shifter. Also, it is noted that the inside of a vehicle is not particularly conducive to installation. For example, it may be difficult to see the cable assembly and the shifter, and hence difficult for an operator to make the connection and/or to see that the connection is properly securely made. Notably, it is not new to operably connect the end of a cable to a shifter, such as is noted above, nor is it new to operably interconnect ends of aligned shift cables to form a single longer shift cable. However, a connection arrangement providing an improved and a more time efficient connection of the cable assembly to the shifter is desired.

Thus, a vehicle shifter cable connector solving the aforementioned problems and that is configured to facilitate secure efficient interconnection during assembly is desired.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle includes a vehicle body having a passenger compartment, a floor pan, a cable-actuated component located outside the passenger compartment, and a telescopeable cable assembly operably connected to the cable-actuated component. The telescopeable cable assembly includes an end attached to the floor pan and a telescopeable cable having a first connector on an end thereof. A control assembly is provided for connection to the cable-actuated component. The control assembly includes a base configured for attachment to the vehicle in the passenger compartment, a lever pivoted to the base, and a second connector operably attached to the lever and configured to mateably engage the first connector as the control assembly is installed in the vehicle from a raised pre-installation position to a lowered installed position.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method includes steps of providing a vehicle body having a passenger compartment, a floor pan, a cable-actuated component located outside the passenger compartment, and a telescopeable cable assembly operably connected to the cable-actuated component. The telescopeable cable assembly includes an end attached to the floor pan and a telescopeable cable having a first connector on an end thereof. The method further includes providing a control assembly for the cable-actuated component, where the control assembly includes a base configured for attachment to the vehicle in the passenger compartment, a lever pivoted to the base, and a second connector operably attached to the lever. The second connector is configured to mateably engage the first connector as the control assembly is installed in the vehicle from a raised pre-installation position to a lowered installed position. The method still further includes assembling the control assembly to the vehicle body by manipulating the control assembly as a unit downwardly to thereby engage the second connector with the first connector.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a shifter including a cable connection embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view, partially in cross section, of the shifter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cable connection shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane IV--IV in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane V--V in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the anchor and connector rod as shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Various terms such as "upwardly," "downwardly," "rearwardly," "forwardly," and the like are used herein to describe the shifter as oriented in a vehicle, to facilitate a clear description. However, the use of these words is not intended to be unnecessarily limiting, and it is specifically contemplated that the arrangement can assume various orientations.

An apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) embodying the present invention includes a shifter 12 configured to be operably simultaneously connected to a shift cable assembly 14 by a cable connector 16 as the shifter 12 is installed in a vehicle 17. The cable connector 16 includes an anchor 18 configured to mateably receive a sheath 20 of the cable assembly 14, and further includes a connector rod 22 (sometimes called "protruding section" or "protrusion") configured to receive a telescopeable cable rod 24 ("sometimes called "upwardly extending connector structure") (FIG. 2) extending from the cable assembly 14. The vehicle shifter 12 includes a flange 26 for supporting the anchor 18 and a pivoting shift mechanism 28 operably attached to the connector rod 22. The shifter 12 is installed in the vehicle by manipulating the shifter 12 to insert the sheath 20 into the anchor 18 with the cable rod 24 extending through the anchor 18 into the connector rod 22. As the shifter 12 is moved to the installed position, it snap attaches to the vehicle. A first spring clip 30 on the anchor 18 automatically snap attaches anchor 18 to sheath 20 as part of the installation of the shifter to the vehicle, and simultaneously therewith a second spring clip 32 on the connector rod 22 automatically snap attaches the cable rod 24 to the connector rod 22. Thus, the entire cable and shifter installation and hook up are completed by manipulating the shifter 12 and then moving it into position in the vehicle.

More particularly, the vehicle includes shifter-mounting brackets 40 and 41 (FIG. 1) attached to vehicle floor pan 42. Shifter mounting bracket 40 is generally U-shaped, and includes a center panel 43 engaging floor pan 42, and front and rear legs 44 and 45 that extend generally upwardly, respectively, from center panel 43. Front leg 44 (FIG. 3) includes an aperture 46 and a slot 47 extending into aperture 46 from an upper edge 48 of leg 44. Rear leg 45 includes an upper edge 49 having an arcuate section 50 that is generally aligned with aperture 46. A pair of spaced square holes 51 is located in leg 45 generally diagonally downwardly from arcuate section 50. Square holes 51 are shaped to mateably engage Z-clips 85 on shifter 12, as described hereinafter. Legs 44 and 45 are spaced apart and are generally parallel. Legs 44 and 45 are oriented nearly perpendicularly to floor-engaging panel 45', but are angled forwardly slightly to facilitate unobstructed installation of shifter 12 and anchor 18 into bracket 40. Specifically, the aperture 46 on front leg 44 and the arcuate section 50 on leg 45 align to define a common axis 52 that is inclined upwardly from front leg 44 toward rear leg 45. This facilitates assembly by providing a direction of engagement along axis 52 that result in a more open installation angle for shifter 12, as discussed below.

Rear bracket 41 (FIG. 1) includes legs 54 and 55 and a center panel 56 interconnected to form an inverted U-shape. Legs 54 and 55 are attached to vehicle floor pan 42. Center panel 56 includes a pair of spaced square apertures 57 for receiving Z-clips 88 on shifter 12, as described below.

Cable assembly 14 (FIG. 3) includes a sleeve 60 and a telescopeable cable 61 slidably positioned therein. The cable 61 is connected to a transmission 150 located outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle for operating the transmission by using the shift lever 94. Sheath 20 is molded onto sleeve 60 as an integral part of sleeve 60. Cable rod 24 is secured to cable 61 such as by crimping or deforming the end 62' of cable rod 24. Cable rod 24 is slidably positioned in sheath 20 and includes a protruding end 62 that extends rearwardly beyond an end of the sheath 20. Sheath 20 includes a bore 63 that receives cable rod 24. Bores 63 and 102"'(FIG. 2) have increasing diameters along the rear portion of their lengths so that the protruding end 62 of cable rod 24 can be moved radially in a direction "A" to accommodate the non-linear movement of connector rod 22 as shift mechanism 28 is pivoted between gear positions "P," "R," "N," "D," "D1," and "D2" (FIG. 1). A plurality of gussets 70 are provided on sheath 20 (FIG. 3) between flange 67 and the anchor-engaging end 69 of sheath 20. Gussets 70 are radially inclined to and merge with a first cylindrical surface 71. The extreme end of sheath 20 includes a second cylindrical surface 72 and a second frustoconical surface 73, between which is located a circumferential ring-shaped depression 74 for receiving retainer clip 114.

A foam rubber washer 64 (FIG. 6) is positioned on the shifter-remote end 65 of sheath 20. Washer 64 includes a circumferential lip 66 that butts against a radially extending flange 67 on sheath 20. Lip 66 provides a cushion between sheath flange 67 and mounting bracket front leg 44. Washer 64 further includes a cylindrical stem 68 that extends through aperture 46 in mounting bracket front leg 44. The resiliency of washer 64 frictionally retains sheath 20 on front leg 44, yet permits sheath 20 to pivot and move angularly into alignment with anchor 18 during installation of anchor 18 onto sheath 20. Cable assembly 14 can be installed onto mounting bracket 40 by sliding sleeve 60 through slot 47 into aperture 46 (FIG. 3), and then by moving sheath 20 forwardly so that washer 64 and sheath 20 mateably frictionally engage aperture 46 in bracket 40. Washer 66 is preferably made from an injection moldable foam rubber having a density of about 10-30 lbs./ft³, although it is contemplated that various materials and material densities can be used. It is important that lip 66, when compressed, provide a force equal to or greater than the force required to push surface 72 through clip 30 to the point where clip 30 snaps into groove 74. The distance that the lip 66 compresses takes up the stack-up tolerances between the parts, including parts 22, 62, 66, 67, 74, and 127. Also, rod 62, in most cases, will bottom out or nearly bottom out in bore 126 when clip 32 snaps into groove 131. In the illustrated arrangement, lip 66 is about 11 mm in its free, uncompressed state and about 4 mm after installation as compressed. It is contemplated that a compression spring or Bellville spring could be used in place of washer 64/lip 66 in some cases, but the foam washer is preferable since it prevents rattle.

Shifter 12 (FIG. 1) includes a base 80 having a front flange 81, a rear flange 82, and opposing pivot-forming flanges 83 on each side. Front flange 81 extends generally parallel to the rear leg 45 of vehicle mounting bracket 40 when shifter 12 is installed. A pair of Z-clips or spring steel snap-in clips 85 are secured to the offset flanges 84 on shifter front flange 81. The resilient legs 86 of the Z-clips 85 align with square holes 51 on rear leg 45 of mounting bracket 40 (FIG. 3). An aperture 87 in front flange 81 aligns with aperture 46 and arcuate section 50 on bracket 40 along axis 52. A second pair of Z-clips 88 (FIG. 1) are attached to the rear flange 82 of base 80 and are arranged and configured to snap into and securely engage square holes 57 in rear bracket 41. Z-clips 85 and 88 are secured to front flange 81 and rear flange 82, respectively, by screws 85' (FIG. 3).

A detent-forming arch 90 (FIG. 1) extends upwardly from base 80. The underside of arch 90 includes multiple notches 91 forming gear positions "P," R," "N," "D," "D1," and "D2." Shift mechanism 28 includes an inverted U-shaped member 92 that is pivotally secured to pivotformning flanges 83 on base 80 by pivot pins 93. A shift lever 94 is secured to pivot member 92, and a pawl 95 for engaging notches 91 is operably secured to pivot member 92. A finger 96 (FIG. 2) protrudes laterally from pivot member 92 for rotatably engaging connector rod 22. It is contemplated that connector rod 22 can be held on finger 96 by several different ways. In particular, where a solenoid or cam structure is to be secured to pivot member 92 for sensing the location of pawl 95, such as for use in a brake-ignition-transmission-shift-interlock system, the structure can be attached after connector rod 22 and used to hold connector rod 22 on finger 96. A feel positioner 97 including a depression-defining comb 98 attached to arch 90 and a spring biased roller 99 attached to pivot member 92 is included on shifter 12 to provide better feel to an operator of shifter 12 when shift mechanism 28 is moved between gear positions. The shift lever 94 includes a handle 151 and a means on the handle 151 (e.g., a button or other means well-known in the art) for operating the pawl 95.

Anchor 18 (FIG. 6) includes a tail section 100 and a nose 101, and further includes a multi-diameter bore 102 that extends axially entirely through anchor 18 along axis 52. The section of bore 102 within tail section 100 includes a shaped surface 102' configured to mateably engage surfaces 71, 72, and 73 on sheath 20 (FIG. 2). Notably, there is clearance between gusset 70 and bore 102 to facilitate assembly. The exterior wall of tail section 100 is sufficiently thick and is made of a stable structural polymeric material so that it can structurally engage and support sheath 20. Ring-shaped depression 74 in sheath 20 defines a plane 105 that is generally perpendicular to axis 52 (FIG. 1) and that is alignable with plane 105' in anchor 18. A rib 103 (FIG. 3) on the outer surface of anchor 18 extends perpendicular through plane 105', and a notch 104 is located on rib 103 in plane 105'. A pair of parallel apertures or channels 106 located in plane 105' extends through tail section 100. Channels 106 are located a predetermined distance apart, such that they extend tangentially through ring-shaped depression 74 (FIG. 5). The ends 107 of channels 106 opposite rib 103 are spaced slightly closer together than the ends of channels 106 proximate rib 103. Channels 106 are configured to receive the legs 109 of a U-shaped spring clip or retainer 30. The legs 109 of clip 30 are deformed so that clip 30 snaps into a predetermined position in channels 106 on anchor 18. The location of notch 104 on rib 103 and channel ends 107 accurately locate clip 30 in anchor 18. Channels 106 securely retain clip 30, but include enough clearance so that the legs 109 can be spread apart slightly, thus allowing cable sheath 20 to be snapped into bore 102 in anchor tail section 100 to facilitate assembly.

The nose 101 of anchor 18 includes an external surface 111 having a radially extending ledge or neck 112 configured to mateably engage aperture 87 (FIG. 3) in shifter base front flange 81. A depression 113 (FIG. 6) is spaced from ledge 112 a distance at least as great as the thickness of the base flange 81 (FIG. 3). A U-shaped sheet metal retainer 114 (FIG. 3) includes opposing legs 115 and 116 spaced a predetermined distance apart so that legs 115 and 116 mateably engage depression 113 to hold anchor 18 securely to flange 81. Retainer 114 further includes reinforcing webs 117 and 118 that extend from legs 115 and 116 and define aperture 114'. Webs 117 and 118 engage the offset ridges 81 ' in base flange 81 and cause retainer 114 to stand away from flange 81 a small distance. This gives the central part of retainer 114 a degree of resiliency in an axial direction along axis 52, thus allowing the retainer 114 to compensate for some dimensional variation between anchor 18, sheath 20, and retainer 114. A flange 119 at the top of retainer 114 also rigidities retainer 114 and provides a handle for removing or installing retainer 114.

The protruding end of nose 101 is tapered to facilitate assembly of the ball-shaped end 123 of connector rod 22 (FIG. 6) onto nose 101. The section 102 " of multi-diameter bore 102 within nose 101 includes a frustoconical surface configured to align with the bore 63 in sheath 20 (see FIG. 2). Thus, bore 102 within nose 101 allows cable rod 24 to move angularly and radially from axis 52 in direction "A." Thus, bore 102 aligns with and compliments bore 63 in sheath 20.

Connector rod 22 (FIG. 6) includes a first end 121 having a transverse hole 122 therein for rotatably engaging finger 96 on shift mechanism 28. Connector rod 22 further includes a second end 123 that is generally bell-shaped. Specifically, the end 123 includes a cylindrically-shaped flange 124 that defines a pocket 125 large enough to loosely receive nose 101. This provides clearance as connector rod 22 moves non-linearly with cable rod 24 as shift mechanism 28 is pivoted. Bell-shaped flange 124 holds connector rod 22 on anchor 18 when shifter 12 has been preassembled as a unit, but before shifter 12 is attached to cable assembly 14 or to the vehicle. A second pocket 126 extends axially into connector rod 22 from pocket 125. Second pocket 126 has a diameter chosen to mateably securely receive the protruding end 62 of cable rod 24. A pair of spaced parallel channels 127 (FIG. 4) is located in second end 123 at a location spaced axially from the bottom 130 (FIG. 6) of second pocket 126. A ring-shaped depression 131 is located on protruding end 62 of cable rod 24, and the protruding end 62 is tapered at its outermost tip 132. Channels 127 are shaped to receive the legs 133 of a retainer or U-shaped spring clip 32. The ends 133' of legs 133 snap lock into channels 127 and onto cable rod 24 much like clip 30 engages anchor channels 106 and sheath 20. Further, there is some clearance within channels 127 for clip legs 133 so that the legs 133 can flex to receive cable rod 24. Also, the distance from ring-shaped depression 131 to tip 132 is about 0.2 mm less than the distance from pocket bottom 130 to channels 127. Thus, cable rod 24 snap locks into connector rod 22 when cable rod 24 is forced into second pocket 126. Connector rod 22 further includes a shaft 136 having axially extending sides 137 and transverse stiffening webs 138. It is contemplated that various shaft configurations can be used. The illustrated shaft 136 is advantageous in that the lower part of the shaft is open to facilitate molding of connector rod 22.

After cable assembly 14 has been installed, shifter 12 is installed in the vehicle by manipulating the shifter 12 to insert anchor 18 onto the sheath 20 with the cable rod 24 extending through anchor 18 into the connector rod 22. As bracket 26 of shifter 12 is snap attached to mounting brackets 43 and 41 by Z-clips 85 and 88 on shifter base 12, anchor 18 is simultaneously snap attached to the sheath 20 by the first spring clip 30, and the connector rod 22 is snap attached to the cable rod 24 by the second spring clip 32. The force of assembly may vary, but it is contemplated that it will optimally be about 5-10 lbs. of force for the cable assembly connection to the shifter. Once properly connected, the pull-apart force is quite large unless clips 85 and 88 are removed. Thus, the assembly of shifter 12 to the vehicle can be completed with a single efficient operation/motion. It is noted that a pair of cable connectors 16 can be used on a shifter where a pair of cable assemblies must be operably connected to a shifter.

In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from spirit of the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as covered by the following claims, as interpreted by patent laws in the United States including the doctrine of equivalents. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A vehicle comprising:a vehicle body including a passenger compartment, a floor pan, a cable-actuated component located outside the passenger compartment, and a telescopeable cable assembly operably connected to the cable-actuated component, the telescopeable cable assembly including an end attached to the floor pan and a telescopeable cable having a first connector on an end thereof, the first connector including an upwardly extending connector structure defining a direction of engagement; and a control assembly for the cable-actuated component, the control assembly including a base attached to the vehicle in the passenger compartment, a lever pivoted to the base for movement about an axis of rotation, and a second connector operably attached to the lever, the second connector including a protruding section that extends perpendicular the axis of rotation of the lever and that matingly engages the first connector and further that is configured to matingly nestingly engage the upwardly extending connector structure simultaneously with movement of the control assembly along the direction of engagement.
 2. The vehicle defined in claim 1 wherein one of the first and second connectors includes an aperture, and the other of the first and second connectors includes a protrusion configured to extend into the aperture during installation.
 3. The vehicle defined in claim 2 wherein the second connector includes the aperture and the first connector includes the protrusion.
 4. The vehicle defamed in claim 3 wherein the first and second connectors operably engage without the use of threaded fasteners.
 5. The vehicle defamed in claim 4 wherein the lever is pivoted at one end and includes another end, and including an elongated member securely connected to the second connector and configured to pull the second connector when the lever is moved in a first direction.
 6. The vehicle defined in claim 5 wherein the control assembly includes a pawl and pawl-receiving notches releasably engaged by the pawl for controlling movement of the lever.
 7. The vehicle defamed in claim 1 wherein the control assembly includes a pawl and pawl-receiving notches releasably engaged by the pawl for controlling movement of the lever.
 8. The vehicle defined in claim 7 wherein the pawl is operably connected to an end of the lever so that a vehicle operator can control movement of the pawl.
 9. The vehicle defamed in claim 8 wherein the control assembly comprises a transmission shifter assembly.
 10. The vehicle defamed in claim 1 wherein the lever is pivoted at one end and includes a handle on another end, and including an elongated member securely connected to the second connector and configured to pull the second connector when the lever is moved in a first direction.
 11. The vehicle defined in claim 1 wherein the lever includes a release mechanism on the control assembly for releasing the lever from a held position.
 12. The vehicle defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second connectors operably engage and are secured without the use of threaded fasteners.
 13. The vehicle defamed in claim 1 wherein the control assembly comprises a transmission shifter assembly.
 14. A vehicle comprising:a vehicle body including a passenger compartment, a floor pan, a cable-actuated component located outside the passenger compartment, and a telescopeable cable assembly operably connected to the cable-actuated component, the telescopeable cable assembly including an end attached to the floor pan and a telescopeable cable having a first connector on an end thereof; and a control assembly for the cable-actuated component, the control assembly including a base with vehicle-engaging connectors attached to the vehicle in the passenger compartment, a lever pivoted to the base for movement about an axis of rotation, and a second connector operably attached to the lever and engaging the first connector, the second connector being configured to mateably engage the first connector as the control assembly is installed in the vehicle from a raised pre-installation position to a lowered installed position; wherein the first connector includes a connector structure extending at an upward angle when in a car-mounted position and the second connector includes a protrusion that extends into mating engagement with the first connector in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation and that further is configured to extend into engagement with the connector structure simultaneously with engagement of the vehicle-engaging connectors during installation of the base, the first and second connectors characteristically engaging without the use of threaded fasteners; and wherein the lever is pivoted at one end for movement about the axis of rotation and includes another end, and including an elongated member securely connected to the second connector and configured to pull the second connector when the lever is moved in a first direction, wherein the lever includes a pawl operably positioned on the lever, and pawl-receiving notches releasably engaged by the pawl for controlling movement of the lever, and wherein the pawl is operably connected to the another end so that a vehicle operator can control movement of the pawl.
 15. In a vehicle including a vehicle body having a floor pan, a cable-actuated component, and a telescopeable cable assembly operably connected to the cable-actuated component, the telescopeable cable assembly including a longitudinally movable cable having a first connector on an end thereof, and further including a control assembly for the cable-actuated component, the control assembly including a base attached to the vehicle in the passenger compartment, a lever pivoted to the base for movement about an axis of rotation, and a second connector operably attached to the lever, the improvement comprising:the first and second connectors including mating structures, one of the mating structures including an upwardly facing connector structure, and another of the mating structures including a protruding section that extends perpendicular the axis of rotation, the mating structures being configured to securely engage to prevent disengagement along a second direction defined by the cable.
 16. The improvement defined in claim 15 wherein the second connector includes a bore having an inlet defining the opening and the first connector includes the protruding section. 